
How to Spend 3 Days in Avignon
Go beyond Avignon's medieval attractions and the nearby countryside sights to the vineyards of Rhône Valley and the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh.
Immerse yourself in the works of Renaissance masters including Boticelli and Vittore Carpaccio at the Little Palace Museum. You’ll also find a great collection of sculpted capitals from the churches of Avignon and religious artworks including altar screens. Botticelli's Madonna with Child is the highlight of the collection. Along with the artwork, the palace itself is worth exploring, built in the 14th century, when Avignon was the center of the Catholic Church and home to the Pope. To see all of Avignon’s key sites in a day, consider joining a guided tour.
The Little Palace Museum is in the center of Avignon’s old town, walking distance from the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon. The town’s Petit Train tourist bus circles the main sights several times a day and makes it easy to get around. Avignon has a high-speed train station with connections to Paris, Geneva, and beyond.
The museum is open every day except for Tuesday, year-round. It’s also closed on December 25, January 1, and May 1. The museum closes every day for lunch for an hour.
Built on top of a huge rock with an equally huge ruined castle, the village of Les Baux de Provence never fails to impress first-time visitors. Walk through the winding streets of the ancient Upper Town, then immerse yourself in the ethereal beauty of the art installations at the Carrières des Lumières gallery.